Cycling in Belgium is a blue-collar sport. The Tour of Flanders, or Ronde Van Vlaanderen in Flemish, encompasses this gritty ideal with its tougher-than-tough pavé sections and cobbled climbs. It’s one of the Monuments of the WorldTour calendar with a tradition dating back to 1913.

For 38 years—until recently—the race finished in the small town of Meerbeke. The riders knew the final selection would come on the last two climbs of the race, the extremely difficult Muur van Geraardsbergen and the short, less arduous Bosberg. In 2011, the organizers changed the finish town to Oudenaarde, and added a final circuit. Many riders and directors were displeased about the break from tradition.

The new course covers much of the former. There are seven flat cobbled sections and 17 cobbled hills. The biggest change in the new course comes at the finish, where the riders have to repeat the climbs of the Oude Kwaremont, and the super steep Paterberg.

The Kwaremont is 2.2km with an average 4-percent grade. The length of the climb is what destroys riders. The cobbles are rough and the grade is deceptive because the first part of the climb is harder than the final 500m of false flat, which brings the average gradient down.

When I raced Flanders, I was usually spent by the time I reached the halfway point of the Kwaremont. After that, I just suffered and dug deep to stay with the wheels in front of me until the cobbles ended. That last half of the climb felt like my brakes were getting squeezed with every pedal stroke.

This is followed by the Paterberg climb, at only 360m, but with a 12-percent grade. This climb gets so steep—hitting a 20-percent grade—that if you stop and unclip, it’s almost impossible to get going again. It’s difficult to walk up in sneakers, much less wearing carbon-soled cycling shoes with cleats. This is why starting at the front of the group for these climbs can make such a difference in the race.

The difficult finishing circuits add to the importance of position. The repetition of the final climbs won’t allow a racer time to recover from riding up from the back. There is only about 2km between the top of the Kwaremont and the Paterberg. Most of that is downhill so the speeds are extremely high and that makes it difficult for riders dropped to catch up.

This course requires a lot of patience in order to have the power for the finale. Many riders will have to gamble by allowing moves to dangle out in front, rely on their teammates to keep them protected, and wait until that final lap where it’s 13km to the finish after the Paterberg.

The first cobbled climb doesn’t come until more than 90km into the race. (Courtesy)

As tough as this race is it should come as no surprise that finishes don’t come down to a field sprint. I can remember some incredible rides by the Belgian Edwig Van Hooydonck. He specialized in the Tour of Flanders and at more than six feet tall, with pencil-thin legs, he won in 1989 and 1991. In 1992 his chances for a third win were ruined when a break of five riders, including Jacky Durand and Thomas “The Tank” Wegmuller, built up a lead of over twenty-two minutes on the field. They never caught Jacky and this was his first big win where he mastered his trademark of long escapes that led him to many victories during his career.

Johan Museeuw, another Belgian, won in 1993, 1995, and 1998. I remember on the false flat cobbled section leading up to the Muur Van Geraardsbergen I watched Museeuw shift into his 12 cog and power away from everyone. There was nothing anyone could do, as we were riding at the opposite end of the cassette.

The Belgians continued to win with Boonen in 2005 and 2006, followed by Stijn Devolder in 2008 and 2009, and Boonen again last year in 2012. During the years in between, riders from other nations won the event but the fact remains that the Belgians dominate this race.

The 2013 Tour of Flanders will be the 100th anniversary of the race and it would be fitting for Boonen to set a record with a fourth title. No rider has won the Tour of Flanders four times and only four others have won three times. Stijn Devolder, with his two victories, could have the chance to put himself in this elite group if he can find the legs that helped him to victory in the past.

Records aside, there are some very strong contenders. After crashing in 2012, and breaking his collarbone, 2010 winner Fabian Cancellara, looks very strong and the new finishing circuits suit him well.

Peter Sagan, a rider who this course fits perfectly, finished fifth in 2012 largely from lack of experience and knowledge of the roads. The ability to know when to move up, when exactly the climbs occur, when to fight for position or relax, and how to suffer can make the difference in the results.

Riders with that knowledge such as Filippo Pozzato, Philippe Gilbert, Greg Van Avermaet, and Sylvain Chavanel could be in the right place at the right time for a win. I don’t believe with the salaries that these guys make anyone would think of them as blue-collar workers, but the Belgian fans will understand the grit and determination needed in order to win the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.